Name - Coach Hoover's Football Site Description/Function - This site has a wealth of information and resources for anyone looking for alternate ways to structure their football program, whether as a head coach or as an assistant. All aspects that interest football coaches are included on this blog. Coach Hoover has compiled hundreds, if not thousands, of resources from various youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sources. Most can be applicable to any level of football, and all are thought-provoking. While not a complete list, included in this site are resources related to: scheme, philosophy, weight lifting, nutrition, speed training, Christian athletes, clinic notes, interviewing, resume building, parent communication, technology, forms, and game day sheets. The information on scheme alone is abundant and as comprehensive as anything I have come across anywhere. I can literally apply everything on this blog to my current practice as our school's head football coach. That is, I envision using this site as a source for reflection as to how I structure any given element of our football program. It's no wonder that Coach Hoover's site is the first one to appear when searching Google for "coaching football blog". Coach Hoover's Football Site
Name - HUDL Blog Description/Function - HUDL has become, arguably, the most important software used in the game of football today. For decades, football coaching have used video cameras to capture game film used for scouting and recruiting. Computers have also served as necessities in game planning sheets. However, as critically necessary they were to the effective football program, they were incredibly time consuming. HUDL brings efficiency to the scouting and recruiting realm, by allowing football teams, for a fee, to: download game footage, create game notes and clips digitally, and create highlight films al while having the capability to share this information with anyone else with a HUDL account. The sheer time, travel and communication needed to traditionally accomplish what HUDL accomplishes is fractional and more comprehensive. However, since HUDL is so comprehensive, it would take an individual many, many man hours to learn all there is, while deciphering between that which is relevant to any given football program and that which is not. HUDL Blog does this, as end users and HUDL techies share stories of best practice, making the navigation of this incredible tool even more efficient. HUDL Blog Name - Spread Football Description/Function - Our base offense is the single back spread, based out of shotgun formation. We run a variety of two back and double tight end sets, as well. After previewing a few blogs based on the subject, this is unquestionably the most comprehensive for my uses. As defenses continue to evolve in an effort to limit this offense's effectiveness, this site works to provide collaboration among prep and collegiate coaches who operate with the same offensive principles in mind. This site speaks to virtually all variations of the single back spread, from Pistol to Offset alignments, and from Power to Midline to Inside Zone as base running schemes from these formations. Various counting systems and defensive identification calls are spoken of, lending credence to the school of thought that there's more than one way to skin a cat. As free time becomes increasingly limited in my personal life, making clinic attendance limited, this type of a forum would appear to offer nearly limitless opportunity to read and collaborate with like offensive minds around North America. Spread Football
Web 2.0 Tools As much as I enjoy exploring and learning, I often find myself having to combat the grandiose ideas that develop in my mind as I am awed by the possiblities that such tools possess. Over time, though, I have become increasingly aware that this is how the emotional side of my brain works, thus I practice patient observance with my rational brain, as the creative side of my brain runs amok. In exploring various sites, I made it a goal to select two tools for reporting purposes on the basis that they would become instruments that I would actually use, rather than merely store in "Bookmarks" for the next decade.
I had heard of Prezi and knew that it involved some type of presentation medium. However, after subscribing under the $0 "Edu Enjoy" license and then entering the site, I do not believe that I have ever seen a Prezi presentation. The movement involved to capture and sustain audience attention is incredible with this tool. It offers as much variance in a horizontally integrated sense as Power Point does in a vertically integrated sense. After selecting a half dozen style types, as well as watching the "tutorials" that accompany each, I cannot say that any one stands out to me; each is impressive. To be certain, some formats are more geared toward specific types of messages that are to be conveyed in a presentation (e.g. "Overcoming Obstacles" or "Journey"). However, these really are a fantastic deviation from Power Point. I also included Pecha Kucha as a tool, though its more of a movement than a tool. The notion is that, to create an effective, dense presentation, one should limit their delivery to "20 slides, each lasting 20 seconds". Hence, the motto of Pecha Kucha's creator is "20 x 20". Personally, my interest in these involves my role as the head football coach. Each year, prior to the season, we hold a parent informational night. My presentation involves a 20-page hand-out and a twenty-minute discussion as to the key elements of the hand-out and of our program. Invariably, I become long-winded and deviate from script. Using Prezi, with a Pecha Kucha basis, I believe that I will be able to effectively capture the essence of what my football program is. It's that simple. If interested, I suggest looking into Pecha Kucha first, then exploring Prezi with a Pecha Kucha minset as to how you might create this type of presentation.
Since we have a player meeting on Monday, I figured to give Prezi a bit of a dry run; for the sake of time, though, I did not delve into this with the idea that it would have a Pecha Kucha structure. Thanks to feedback about "over zooming", I limited how these "transitions" were used. Though it's easy to rely on old standby methods, such as PowerPoint, Prezi really is very user friendly, particularly once an individual simply starts to click around the different presentation templates. At first glance, Prezi appears much more complicated than PP, but, like anything, comfort level increases with experience and experimentation. Quizlet
Again, this is another tool I had heard of, but never created time to explore what it entailed. Quizlet reall is a marvel, of sorts. It allows its users to create, share, or simply use study tools in any number of areas.
Once selecting an area, the depth and breadth of information makes this tool worthwhile, as it is. For example, the "math and science" tab maintains more than 200 unique skills/areas to lear about, study, practice, and test. Yet, as comprehensive as this aspect of Quizlet is, the organization and manipulation of any subject matter's organization is what sets this tool in its own class. Each subject is broken into three categories: Study, Games, and Tools. Each serves a purpose, as information is learned in traditional methods (think digital flashcards in a direct instruction delivery mode), via games (practicing material in an engaging manner), and tools (where information can be extracted from Quizlet to be printed, exported, or shared). I have used "thatquiz" for my math essentials class and have been frustrated by its limitations. Though it is user friendly, I've stayed in its use out of familiarity, to be frank. Quizlet, unequivocally is light years beyond what thatquiz can do. Quizlet allows students to be more self-directed in their approach to skill and knowledge acquisition.
As mentioned, Quizlet is a relatively comprehensive tool. As I began setting up users as added "members", I was a bit disappointed that this would not be tracked as well as some other sites I've used, including thatquiz. However, as mentioned the "sets" that can be created and accessed in Quizlet are great. In special education math, my students need repetition, repetition and more repetition with fundamental skills before moving on to application and presumed generalization. Quizlet's parameters allow for this, both in direct instruction methodology, as well as games. Since my initial exploration of Quizlet, I have spoken with math colleagues who have turned me on to a blend of Quizlet's comprehensive style, yet the tracking of mastery of thatquiz. This tool is called Extra Math.
Educational Math Games Cool Math Games
This site has been a favorite of mine for years. Cool Math Games allows for great drill and practice of basic rithmetic, something that my students continue to need to practice often. While true that technology will be able to assist them in life, my studnets struggle with the concept of "reasonability" in math. Aside from games for the four basic operations, there are also fraction-based games. Since fractions rely on incorporating all of the operation, they are my favorite hard math skill to practice. Finally, during my finance unit, I also incorporate Lemonade Stand, Coffee Shop, and Farm Game, all of which are based on maximizing profit, but really are built on very basic algebraic principles. WARNING! Cool Math Games is filled with selections that are very loosely related to math (Billiards, for example, whose inclusion on this site, as far as I can tell, is that angles/geometry are used in playing billiards). Monitor students and create a "leaderboard" to track proficiency, or even rely on tracking all scores.
Extreme Math Games
Presumably named and modeled after ESPN's X Games, this site will more effectively target those students who are more game/graphic and competition-oriented. This game poses calculation-based problems and automatically adjusts the level of difficulty to your accuracy as the player goes along. Questions begin quite simple, but all questions are timed and multiple choice. The quicker that a question is asnwered correctly, the more points player accrues. Questions get quite challenging, in that the time afforded for each problem remains constant. Basic arithmetic of positive and negative numbers, order of operations, fractions (LCM's and GCF's, too), rounding, variable manipulation, decimals, and so on. I'd assume that one could get to Trigonometry and calculus-based problems eventually! This is a perfect site for our algebra students, but feel free to give it a try. Challenging!
Swimming Otters
This is a variable expression-based game, but that's really just a fancy way to say that it's a game to practice multiplication and division. I have found that, even when some students have memorized (most) multiplication facts, they are less adept at the corresponding division facts. In Swimming Otters, the second term is missing from multiplication facts. So, with some pre-teaching, I liek to use this as another way for students to have visual representation of such arithmetic, all the while trying to get high scores, based on speed and accuracy of their swimming otter. I use this with my freshmen, an though the game itself is probably more suited for third graders, I play up the fact that I still can't get the system's high score, and that it's probably some college professor in California, and so on and so on. When students see me not taking myself too seriously, I find that they are less apprehensive to take risks and make mistakes in front of their peers.
Math Playground - Word Problems!
Unless they're really good at math, most students groan at the mention of word problems. I've tried teaching them as fun puzzles, challenges for the brain, and necessary evils. Regardless of how I teach them or what I call them, students simply dislike them. However, when they are part of a game, then word problems are embraced! The thing I like about these games is that they are grouped by skill and grade level, which is also what I dislike about them. Generally, my high school students know that we work on skills and concepts that most fifth graders have mastered, but it still doesn't mean that they want an online math game highlighting the fact by entitling their games with grade level abilities. Even so, this site offers really good practice with basic word problems. Again, since they are presented in a digital, game-based format, students seemt to better retain the idea of "hot words and phrases" (such as: "per", "in all", and "difference") within the construct of word problems.
Order of Operations
This is an absolutely great tool for practicing order of operations. 128 Single digit numbers are shown in a 16 x 8 board. Below is math problem with blanks and operation signs (+, -. x, /). A resulting number is also given, and the player must fill in numbers to correspond with the signs so that the equation is true. For example _ x-+ ___ = 12. Obviously, there is more than one possible solution. However, as you use the 128 digits, they disappear; there is a finite quantity of each digit. The fact that this is timed and that score is kept makes this site perfect for skill targeted. If there is a better game that focuses on order of operations, I have not seen it. Must-have for any algebra teacher!
Lessons Incorporating Technology
Properties of Mean and Median
Using interactive software, students can compare and contrast properties of measures of central tendency, specifically the influence of changes in data values on the mean and median. As students change the data values, the interactive figure immediately displays the mean and median of the new data set. Experimenting with this software helps students compare the utility of the mean and the median as measures of center for different data sets. The seven points shown on the interactive tool represent flight distances of a paper airplane. As studnets move any one of the seven plot points on the interactive tool, the mean adn median are adjusted in real time, so that students better understand how manipulating specific numeric representations affect mean and median, correlatively. Cryptography
This interactive lesson teaches students how to encode and decode while using substitution strategies. This is really a very cool way to teach algorithms and the algebraic idea of coefficients and such. Strech and shift values are determnined, either through trial and error or through algorithmic methods to decipher a message. The interactive component to this lesson involves a coordinate plane where the transformations take place, thus providing a visual representation of the code. This is just another way to get students thinking about mathematical relationships while having them take part in a seemingly top secret mission. Appropriate for grades 6-12. Lines, Rays, and Segments
This interactive lesson begins by having students read definitions of these three terms, which are basic in understanding high level geometric concepts. Upon finishing this task, students are allowed to manipulate the three stated "lines". Students are to recognize the pertinent properties of each of these, as the line's beginning/end is not seen in the interactive box, the ray has an endpoint seen, but no other end within the box, and a segment can be manipulated in length, but is seen tohave definite beginning and end. Very concrete way of demonstrating these concepts digitally, so that students would be able to recall point and line manipulations in a different way.
Lesson Plan (Math)
Lesson Plan Template
Title of Lesson: Practical Percentages
Date: March 1, 2013 Timeframe of Lesson: 50 minutes
Author(s): Rob Stoltz
School District: Greendale Campus: Greendale High School
Subject Area(s): Math
Grade Level(s)/Course: 9th-10th grade Special Education / Math Essentials
Content Area Standards (Common Core):
5
NBT
5
CC.5.NBT.5 Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths. Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
5
NBT
6
CC.5.NBT.6 Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths. Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
5
NBT
7
CC.5.NBT.7 Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used.
5.NBT.5 5.NBT.6 5.NBT.7
National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S):
Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
6. Technology and Concepts: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems.
Stated Learning Objective(s)
Students will use various technology systems and web 2.0 tools to assist in the collaborative learning, practice, and mastery of total cost, including sales tax, as a component of personal finance.
1) Students begin class with a warm-up activity of five problems that reviews “total cost” word problems, where several items, with varying quantities and prices are purchased. Students are required to copy and paste word problems from teacher web site into a created Word document in Google Drive. Students are to show all work for these word problems; students then submit their work to the class Wiki. This document will also be stored in Google Drive folder labeled “Personal Finance”, then nested under “Purchasing” in this folder. The following day, students will begin class by opening their Google Drive folders and checking their work and steps against my work and steps projected onto my Smartboard. Corrections made to their Google Drive work needs to be made in bold maroon font. Work on the Wiki is what is actually graded by me for the warm-up portion of their grades. This Google Drive folder will serve as an ePortfolio, of sorts, for all practical math work that students complete over the course of two years in my Math Essentials class. Students will be using school’s iMac desktop computers for this activity. (10 minutes) 2) Quick talking points to review total cost procedures and spark discussion/review of when total cost formulas are needed. (3 minutes) 3) Essential Skill: Describe a time in your life when percentages were involved? Following written demonstration of task completion in student Google Drive under “Essential Skills”, students will briefly share/explain. I will provide guided learning, so as to bring further insight into this topic. Lead-in to percentages and how they are (usually) the last piece needed for determining total cost. (5 minutes) 4) Video: “How to Calculate Sale Tax”. (2 minutes) 5) In-class, direct instruction of determining total cost, including sales tax. This will involve student practice and demonstration of understanding prior to moving on to individual practice for mastery. (10 minutes) 6) Quizlet: Student practice problems for determining total cost that involves sales tax. Beginning problems involve only determining sales tax that is added to a set amount. Higher level examples involve totalcost that involves multiple items at varying quantities and prices, similar to the warm-up. As students complete eight such problems, I will be assisting individuals, prompting with open-ended questions aimed at helping to build reasonability in solving word problems. As students finish the set of eight problems, a worksheet is given for homework that involves problems where students must identify elements of such a word problem (unit cost, sales tax, etc) and/or solve word problems. (20 minutes)
Assessment or Evaluation
As stated above: Ongoing formative and summative assessments given to each student. Assessments given where independent mastery (85% or greater accuracy on each) is reflected based on: 1) independent practice - assisted (practice, with use of notes) 2) short-term independent – assisted (warm-up problems in three future classes, with use of notes/examples) 3) long-term independent – unassisted (test of specific skill set without notes/examples) 4) long-term interdependent – unassisted (test of various skill sets without notes examples)
Coaching Football Blogs
Name - Coach Hoover's Football Site
Description/Function - This site has a wealth of information and resources for anyone looking for alternate ways to structure their football program, whether as a head coach or as an assistant. All aspects that interest football coaches are included on this blog. Coach Hoover has compiled hundreds, if not thousands, of resources from various youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sources. Most can be applicable to any level of football, and all are thought-provoking. While not a complete list, included in this site are resources related to: scheme, philosophy, weight lifting, nutrition, speed training, Christian athletes, clinic notes, interviewing, resume building, parent communication, technology, forms, and game day sheets. The information on scheme alone is abundant and as comprehensive as anything I have come across anywhere. I can literally apply everything on this blog to my current practice as our school's head football coach. That is, I envision using this site as a source for reflection as to how I structure any given element of our football program. It's no wonder that Coach Hoover's site is the first one to appear when searching Google for "coaching football blog".
Coach Hoover's Football Site
Name - HUDL Blog
Description/Function - HUDL has become, arguably, the most important software used in the game of football today. For decades, football coaching have used video cameras to capture game film used for scouting and recruiting. Computers have also served as necessities in game planning sheets. However, as critically necessary they were to the effective football program, they were incredibly time consuming. HUDL brings efficiency to the scouting and recruiting realm, by allowing football teams, for a fee, to: download game footage, create game notes and clips digitally, and create highlight films al while having the capability to share this information with anyone else with a HUDL account. The sheer time, travel and communication needed to traditionally accomplish what HUDL accomplishes is fractional and more comprehensive. However, since HUDL is so comprehensive, it would take an individual many, many man hours to learn all there is, while deciphering between that which is relevant to any given football program and that which is not. HUDL Blog does this, as end users and HUDL techies share stories of best practice, making the navigation of this incredible tool even more efficient.
HUDL Blog
Name - Spread Football
Description/Function - Our base offense is the single back spread, based out of shotgun formation. We run a variety of two back and double tight end sets, as well. After previewing a few blogs based on the subject, this is unquestionably the most comprehensive for my uses. As defenses continue to evolve in an effort to limit this offense's effectiveness, this site works to provide collaboration among prep and collegiate coaches who operate with the same offensive principles in mind. This site speaks to virtually all variations of the single back spread, from Pistol to Offset alignments, and from Power to Midline to Inside Zone as base running schemes from these formations. Various counting systems and defensive identification calls are spoken of, lending credence to the school of thought that there's more than one way to skin a cat. As free time becomes increasingly limited in my personal life, making clinic attendance limited, this type of a forum would appear to offer nearly limitless opportunity to read and collaborate with like offensive minds around North America.
Spread Football
Web 2.0 Tools
As much as I enjoy exploring and learning, I often find myself having to combat the grandiose ideas that develop in my mind as I am awed by the possiblities that such tools possess. Over time, though, I have become increasingly aware that this is how the emotional side of my brain works, thus I practice patient observance with my rational brain, as the creative side of my brain runs amok. In exploring various sites, I made it a goal to select two tools for reporting purposes on the basis that they would become instruments that I would actually use, rather than merely store in "Bookmarks" for the next decade.
Prezi and Pecha Kucha
I had heard of Prezi and knew that it involved some type of presentation medium. However, after subscribing under the $0 "Edu Enjoy" license and then entering the site, I do not believe that I have ever seen a Prezi presentation. The movement involved to capture and sustain audience attention is incredible with this tool. It offers as much variance in a horizontally integrated sense as Power Point does in a vertically integrated sense. After selecting a half dozen style types, as well as watching the "tutorials" that accompany each, I cannot say that any one stands out to me; each is impressive. To be certain, some formats are more geared toward specific types of messages that are to be conveyed in a presentation (e.g. "Overcoming Obstacles" or "Journey"). However, these really are a fantastic deviation from Power Point. I also included Pecha Kucha as a tool, though its more of a movement than a tool. The notion is that, to create an effective, dense presentation, one should limit their delivery to "20 slides, each lasting 20 seconds". Hence, the motto of Pecha Kucha's creator is "20 x 20". Personally, my interest in these involves my role as the head football coach. Each year, prior to the season, we hold a parent informational night. My presentation involves a 20-page hand-out and a twenty-minute discussion as to the key elements of the hand-out and of our program. Invariably, I become long-winded and deviate from script. Using Prezi, with a Pecha Kucha basis, I believe that I will be able to effectively capture the essence of what my football program is. It's that simple. If interested, I suggest looking into Pecha Kucha first, then exploring Prezi with a Pecha Kucha minset as to how you might create this type of presentation.
Since we have a player meeting on Monday, I figured to give Prezi a bit of a dry run; for the sake of time, though, I did not delve into this with the idea that it would have a Pecha Kucha structure. Thanks to feedback about "over zooming", I limited how these "transitions" were used. Though it's easy to rely on old standby methods, such as PowerPoint, Prezi really is very user friendly, particularly once an individual simply starts to click around the different presentation templates. At first glance, Prezi appears much more complicated than PP, but, like anything, comfort level increases with experience and experimentation.
Quizlet
Again, this is another tool I had heard of, but never created time to explore what it entailed. Quizlet reall is a marvel, of sorts. It allows its users to create, share, or simply use study tools in any number of areas.
- Arts & Literature »
- Languages & Vocabulary »
- Math & Science »
- History & Geography »
- Standardized Tests »
- Professional & Careers »
Once selecting an area, the depth and breadth of information makes this tool worthwhile, as it is. For example, the "math and science" tab maintains more than 200 unique skills/areas to lear about, study, practice, and test. Yet, as comprehensive as this aspect of Quizlet is, the organization and manipulation of any subject matter's organization is what sets this tool in its own class. Each subject is broken into three categories: Study, Games, and Tools. Each serves a purpose, as information is learned in traditional methods (think digital flashcards in a direct instruction delivery mode), via games (practicing material in an engaging manner), and tools (where information can be extracted from Quizlet to be printed, exported, or shared). I have used "thatquiz" for my math essentials class and have been frustrated by its limitations. Though it is user friendly, I've stayed in its use out of familiarity, to be frank. Quizlet, unequivocally is light years beyond what thatquiz can do. Quizlet allows students to be more self-directed in their approach to skill and knowledge acquisition.As mentioned, Quizlet is a relatively comprehensive tool. As I began setting up users as added "members", I was a bit disappointed that this would not be tracked as well as some other sites I've used, including thatquiz. However, as mentioned the "sets" that can be created and accessed in Quizlet are great. In special education math, my students need repetition, repetition and more repetition with fundamental skills before moving on to application and presumed generalization. Quizlet's parameters allow for this, both in direct instruction methodology, as well as games. Since my initial exploration of Quizlet, I have spoken with math colleagues who have turned me on to a blend of Quizlet's comprehensive style, yet the tracking of mastery of thatquiz. This tool is called Extra Math.
Educational Math Games
Cool Math Games
This site has been a favorite of mine for years. Cool Math Games allows for great drill and practice of basic rithmetic, something that my students continue to need to practice often. While true that technology will be able to assist them in life, my studnets struggle with the concept of "reasonability" in math. Aside from games for the four basic operations, there are also fraction-based games. Since fractions rely on incorporating all of the operation, they are my favorite hard math skill to practice. Finally, during my finance unit, I also incorporate Lemonade Stand, Coffee Shop, and Farm Game, all of which are based on maximizing profit, but really are built on very basic algebraic principles. WARNING! Cool Math Games is filled with selections that are very loosely related to math (Billiards, for example, whose inclusion on this site, as far as I can tell, is that angles/geometry are used in playing billiards). Monitor students and create a "leaderboard" to track proficiency, or even rely on tracking all scores.
Extreme Math Games
Presumably named and modeled after ESPN's X Games, this site will more effectively target those students who are more game/graphic and competition-oriented. This game poses calculation-based problems and automatically adjusts the level of difficulty to your accuracy as the player goes along. Questions begin quite simple, but all questions are timed and multiple choice. The quicker that a question is asnwered correctly, the more points player accrues. Questions get quite challenging, in that the time afforded for each problem remains constant. Basic arithmetic of positive and negative numbers, order of operations, fractions (LCM's and GCF's, too), rounding, variable manipulation, decimals, and so on. I'd assume that one could get to Trigonometry and calculus-based problems eventually! This is a perfect site for our algebra students, but feel free to give it a try. Challenging!
Swimming Otters
This is a variable expression-based game, but that's really just a fancy way to say that it's a game to practice multiplication and division. I have found that, even when some students have memorized (most) multiplication facts, they are less adept at the corresponding division facts. In Swimming Otters, the second term is missing from multiplication facts. So, with some pre-teaching, I liek to use this as another way for students to have visual representation of such arithmetic, all the while trying to get high scores, based on speed and accuracy of their swimming otter. I use this with my freshmen, an though the game itself is probably more suited for third graders, I play up the fact that I still can't get the system's high score, and that it's probably some college professor in California, and so on and so on. When students see me not taking myself too seriously, I find that they are less apprehensive to take risks and make mistakes in front of their peers.
Math Playground - Word Problems!
Unless they're really good at math, most students groan at the mention of word problems. I've tried teaching them as fun puzzles, challenges for the brain, and necessary evils. Regardless of how I teach them or what I call them, students simply dislike them. However, when they are part of a game, then word problems are embraced! The thing I like about these games is that they are grouped by skill and grade level, which is also what I dislike about them. Generally, my high school students know that we work on skills and concepts that most fifth graders have mastered, but it still doesn't mean that they want an online math game highlighting the fact by entitling their games with grade level abilities. Even so, this site offers really good practice with basic word problems. Again, since they are presented in a digital, game-based format, students seemt to better retain the idea of "hot words and phrases" (such as: "per", "in all", and "difference") within the construct of word problems.
Order of Operations
This is an absolutely great tool for practicing order of operations. 128 Single digit numbers are shown in a 16 x 8 board. Below is math problem with blanks and operation signs (+, -. x, /). A resulting number is also given, and the player must fill in numbers to correspond with the signs so that the equation is true. For example _ x - + ___ = 12. Obviously, there is more than one possible solution. However, as you use the 128 digits, they disappear; there is a finite quantity of each digit. The fact that this is timed and that score is kept makes this site perfect for skill targeted. If there is a better game that focuses on order of operations, I have not seen it. Must-have for any algebra teacher!
Lessons Incorporating Technology
Properties of Mean and Median
Using interactive software, students can compare and contrast properties of measures of central tendency, specifically the influence of changes in data values on the mean and median. As students change the data values, the interactive figure immediately displays the mean and median of the new data set. Experimenting with this software helps students compare the utility of the mean and the median as measures of center for different data sets. The seven points shown on the interactive tool represent flight distances of a paper airplane. As studnets move any one of the seven plot points on the interactive tool, the mean adn median are adjusted in real time, so that students better understand how manipulating specific numeric representations affect mean and median, correlatively.
Cryptography
This interactive lesson teaches students how to encode and decode while using substitution strategies. This is really a very cool way to teach algorithms and the algebraic idea of coefficients and such. Strech and shift values are determnined, either through trial and error or through algorithmic methods to decipher a message. The interactive component to this lesson involves a coordinate plane where the transformations take place, thus providing a visual representation of the code. This is just another way to get students thinking about mathematical relationships while having them take part in a seemingly top secret mission. Appropriate for grades 6-12.
Lines, Rays, and Segments
This interactive lesson begins by having students read definitions of these three terms, which are basic in understanding high level geometric concepts. Upon finishing this task, students are allowed to manipulate the three stated "lines". Students are to recognize the pertinent properties of each of these, as the line's beginning/end is not seen in the interactive box, the ray has an endpoint seen, but no other end within the box, and a segment can be manipulated in length, but is seen tohave definite beginning and end. Very concrete way of demonstrating these concepts digitally, so that students would be able to recall point and line manipulations in a different way.
Lesson Plan (Math)
Lesson Plan Template
Practical Percentages
Campus: Greendale High School
5.NBT.6
5.NBT.7
- Creativity and Innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
- Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
- Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
- Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
- Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
b. Communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.6. Technology and Concepts: Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.
a. Understand and use technology systems.
2) Quick talking points to review total cost procedures and spark discussion/review of when total cost formulas are needed. (3 minutes)
3) Essential Skill: Describe a time in your life when percentages were involved? Following written demonstration of task completion in student Google Drive under “Essential Skills”, students will briefly share/explain. I will provide guided learning, so as to bring further insight into this topic. Lead-in to percentages and how they are (usually) the last piece needed for determining total cost. (5 minutes)
4) Video: “How to Calculate Sale Tax”. (2 minutes)
5) In-class, direct instruction of determining total cost, including sales tax. This will involve student practice and demonstration of understanding prior to moving on to individual practice for mastery. (10 minutes)
6) Quizlet: Student practice problems for determining total cost that involves sales tax. Beginning problems involve only determining sales tax that is added to a set amount. Higher level examples involve totalcost that involves multiple items at varying quantities and prices, similar to the warm-up. As students complete eight such problems, I will be assisting individuals, prompting with open-ended questions aimed at helping to build reasonability in solving word problems. As students finish the set of eight problems, a worksheet is given for homework that involves problems where students must identify elements of such a word problem (unit cost, sales tax, etc) and/or solve word problems. (20 minutes)
1) independent practice - assisted (practice, with use of notes) 2) short-term independent – assisted (warm-up problems in three future classes, with use of notes/examples) 3) long-term independent – unassisted (test of specific skill set without notes/examples) 4) long-term interdependent – unassisted (test of various skill sets without notes examples)
Six iMac Desktop Computers
http://www.wikispaces.com
http://quizlet.com
http://www.google.com (Google Drive)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrrLYrbrLIA